Gas control valve



Dec. 28, 1948. w, JOHNSON r 2,457,378

GAS couTRbL' VALVE Filed June 5, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 63 INVENTOR5.-

Boy 14 Job M50 cane/c z Zfl/EWELL B MM ATTOBNEH DecQZB, 1948. R: JOHNSON EI'AL ,4

GAS CONTROL VALVE Filed June 5, 19M

1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A 5 m? m; w? W; [Wm A w W M Patented Dec. 28, E948 I GAS CONTROL VALVE Roy W. Johnson and Cedric E. Zarwell, Milwauhee, Wis., assignors to Automatic Products Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application time 5, 1944, Serial No. 538,729

This invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically controlling the flow of fuel to a space-heating device which is to be constantly kept in condition for operation.

When a space-heating furnace is fed with gaseous fuel, a pilot flame must be constantly maintained to insure ignition of all of the gases supplied and thereby prevent the formation of explosive or otherwise dangerous mixtures thereof with air. And the quantity of the gas supplied to the burner during normal operation must be determined by the varying temperature of the space to be heated which causes variations in the fuel flow to the furnace. The supply of gaseous fuel should therefore be primarily controlled responsive to the presence or absence of the pilot flame and only secondarily controlled by the temperature of the space to be heated. The valve controlling the flow of gas to the burner must be closed when the pilot flame is out regardless of the action of the room or other space thermostat, and. must be opened and closed by such thermostat at all other times. It is also desirable that the control ofthe valve by the room or other space thermostat be modified by a device limiting the amount of fuel supplied in case the room or other space thermostat accidentally remains in position to open the valve. Other devices related to the limitation of the quantity of fuel to be supplied, or for other safety reasons, may also be required, all of which devices must coast with the pilot flame and room thermostats on the control valve.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an automatic regulator for the supply of gaseous fuel to a heating device in which the valve of the regulator is controlled jointly by the existence of a pilot flame and the temperature of the space to be heated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve with means for automatically controlling the supply of gaseous fuel to a burner in which mechanically actuated means, responsive severally to the temperature adjacent a pilot flame and to the temperature in a space to be heated, coact on the valve.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve for automatically controlling the flow of gas to a burner, which is primarily controlled by means responsive to the temperature in a space adjacent the burner and in which the action-of such means is modified by means controlled from a point remote from the burner- Another object of the invention is to provide a gas flow regulator for a gaseous fuel burning device in which the regulator includes means re- 8 Claims. (Cl. 236-1) sponsive severally to the temperature adjacent a pilot flame and to the temperature in a space to be heated, and in which the actuation of one of such temperature responsive means may be modified to adjust the temperature range through which such means will be operative.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a regulating valve for automatically controlling the flow of gas to a gas-burning space-heating furnace in whichmechanically actuated means responsive to a temperature adjacent the burner is combined with electrically energized means responsive to a temperature remote from the furnace for cooperatively controlling'the valve.

Objects and advantages other than those above set forth will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of the automaticregulating valve of the present invention, together with a diagrammatic illustration of the connection of suchvalve with a gas burner, and with mechanically actuated means for controlling the operation ofthe valve; 1 Fig. 2 is a view of the valve shown in Fig. 1 with the top plate removed and-with some of the parts thereof shown in section for better illustration thereof;

of the thermal -responsive means removed therefrom and with some of the parts broken away to illustrate the construction of the by-pass for supplying a pilot burner;

Fig. 4 is a view taken on the plane of the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows applied thereto;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 4

and showingthe addition of electrically energized and remotely controlled means for modified action of one of two mechanically actuated means controlling the valve; and

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing one of the mechanically actuated thermal-responsive means. acting on the valve replaced by a remotely controlled and electrically energized means.

Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, the reference numeral l0 designates a valve housing which is divided into separate inlet and outlet chambers II and [2, respectively, by a partition l3 extending transversely of the housing. The valve housing is adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure by a conduit (not shown) connected to a pipe nipple H at the inlet end of the valve housing and valve outlet nipple I! by a pipe 29.

. d 3 is adapted to be connected to a burner by a pipe nipple I! at theoutlet end of the housing. The transverse partition ll of the valve housing is provided with an opening having a ring i8 removably secured therein as by screw-threading.

4 the cup on the control w and under the action of a spring 54 seated on the partition I! and determining the temperature at The ring i8 determines the size of the orifice between the'inlet chamber H and outlet chamber l2 and hence determines the amount of gas which may flow through the valve housing. The valve housing is formed with an opening in each of its sides I9 and 20 and with an opening in the top H thereof. The side openings provide means by which access may be had to the inlet and outlet chambers, respectively, and are severally closed by a portion of several thermostatic means to be hereinafter described. The opening in the valve housing top is closed :by a plate 22 bearing identification, instruction. and other desired indicia.

Flow of gas into the valve housing is controlled by a valve 24 which is of the plug type and is provided with a handle 25 externally of the top of the valve and forming a pointer-for movement over a scale 26 which shows the degree of opening' of the valve 24. The valve is held seated in a conical recess formed therefor in the valve housing, by a spring 21 acting between the outside of the valve housing and a suitable nut 28, or'other means, holding the spring in compression and thereby holding the valve firmly seated in its recess. The opening through the orifice ring I8 is controlled by a valve which is thermally through the valve and forming the valve portion seating on the edge of the orifice ring I! as the closure controlling the flow of gas through the orifice.

The valve consisting ofparts 3|. 23 and 24 is controlled jointly by a plurality of thermostatic means. one of which is responsive to the temperature adjacent a pilot burner 36 (see Fig. 1) for igniting a main burner 31 of a space heating furnace 38,. The burner 21 is connected with the The pilot flame temperature responsive means includes a bulb 43 filled with a chemically inert gas such as nitrogen and shown as being in the form of a four turn coil for the purpose of securing the maximum heat transfer surface with. a small volumetric capacity of the tubing. The bulb 43 is connected by a tube 44. to a space defined by a cover 45 for the opening in housing side I! and by a diaphragm 48 suitably secured at its edges in the cover. The diaphragm 48 has mounted thereon a pad 41 with a pointed pro- Jecting boss 48. The boss movement caused by the expansion of the nitrogen filling the bulb 43, the tube 44, and the space between the cover 45 and the diaphragm 48, is transmitted to a lever 6| pivotally mounted at one end in the valve housing and provided with a cup in which the pointed I end of the boss seats. The lever acts on a spring which the pilot fiame opens the valve. The present arrangement of the levers produces a high force multiplication in the space available in a regulating device.

Asecond thermostatic means responsive to the temperature of a space to be heated, such as the bonnet of the furnace 28, is connected to the valve housing on the side 20 thereof and coacts with the above described thermostatic means for controlling the movement of the valve consisting of parts 3!, 22 and 24.. The heated space thermostatic means comprises a bulb 82 (see Fig. 1), located in the space to be heated and connected bya tube 82 with the space between a cover 04 for the opening in the valve housing side 20 and a diaphragm 65 suitably mounted in such cover. A pad I6, is mounted on the diaphragm I and is formed with a pointed projecting boss ll. The movement of the diaphragm 65 responsive-to the expansion and contraction of a suitable liquid, such as ethyl chloride filling the bulb 82, the tubes 63, and the space between cover '4 and diaphragm 65, is transmitted by way of the boss 61 to a lever 10 pivoted at one end in the valve housing and bearing at the other end thereof on a lever II. A spring 1: acts between the cover and the pad to compensate for differences in pressure between atmosphere and the ethyl chloride when filled in the tube '2, 63 and the lusting the ranges within which such movement may take place. Such adjusting or modifying means includes a bell crank lever 15 pivotally mounted in the valve housing and having a spring 10 seated on one arm at the end thereof and bearing on the pad 68. An adjusting screw 11 extends through the top of the valve housing and bears at one end on the other arm of the bell crank II. The end of the screw ll, extending external y of the housing top, is provided with a handle I8 by which the screw may be turned for adjusting the position of the bell crank and hence the action of the spring 16 on the diaphragm boss ii. A portion of the handle 18 is formed as a pointer for movement over a scale 18 on the top plate 22 and indicates the temperature ranges within which movement of the heated space or furnace bonnet responsive thermostatic means is to be retained.

A by-pass. between the inlet chamber II and the outlet chamber l2 and around the control valve 2|, 22, I4, is formed by passages 82, 82, the ilow of gas through such passages being controlled by an adiustable needle valve 84. The needle valve 84 is adjusted at the factory and access thereto is limited by closing the needle valve recess by a cap screw 85. The amount of gas passing from the outlet chamber l2 to the pilot burner 28 is controlled by a metering valve including the passages SI, 92 in which the fiow is controlled by a needle valve 93, and access to the metering valve 92 is also limited by a cap screw 94. The passage 22 is of course connected with the pilot burner 28 as by the tube 95, The

by-pass I2, ll, 24 controls the quantity of gas valve stem for spring 62 i 02. controls only the quantity of gas supplied to the pilot burner 06.

The action of the bonnet temperature responsive means 03 to 01, inclusive, may be modified by electrically energized means responsive to the temperature in a remote space to be heated, thus combining the use of the bonnet responsive means as a limit control with the room temperature responsive means. In such modified structure (shown in Fig. 5) an opening is made through the exterior wall of the chamber II and a box 00 is mounted on the chamber wall in gastight relation over the opening. An electromagnet 0'! is mounted ininsulated relation in the box in such position that an extension I I of the lever II may be drawn into contact with the armature of the magnet. The magnet coil is connected in circuit with the room thermostat 00 which controls the supply of electric potentialto the coil from a transformer 99 connected with an electrical supply line I00. The construction above described provides for joint control of the,

valve consisting of parts 3|, 33 and 30 by means responsive to the temperature of the pilot flame, means responsive to the furnace bonnet temperature, and means responsive to the temperature of the space to be heated. The first of the above means prevents flow of gas to the main burner when the pilot flame is out and the second of the above means prevent the continued supply of gas when the bonnet temperature is excessive and constitutes a safety means limiting the valve operation regardless of the action of the room thermostat in calling for more heat.

One of the two thermally responsive mechanically acting operating means for the valve consisting of par-ts 3|, 33 and 30 may be replaced by a thermally responsive electric operating means as shown in Fig. 6. In such structure the cover 60 for the opening in the valve housing side is replaced by a plate I05 attached to the valve housing I0 in gas-tight relation and provided with a flanged substantially central opening therethrough. The

. opening through the plate I05 is closed by a tube I05 extending into the chamber II and open at its end within the chamber, the other end of the tube being closed by a plug I01 secured in the tube in gas-tight relation as by welding. The tube I06 and its plug I01 accordingly form a well open to the inlet chamber II of the valve housing and extending beyond the valve housing into a casing I 08.

An electrical winding I09 is placed about the well I 06, I01 and is pressed against the plate I05 by a spring H0 acting between the casing I08 and a layer of insulating material II I placed on the winding I 09. The winding I09 forms the coil of a solenoid having its armature H4 located within the well I00, I 01, and guided therein as by fins H5 on the armature and moving in contact with the well wall. The armature is biased into contact with the end of the valve stem 02 by a spring IIB acting between the plate I 05 and a seat III of electric insulating material mounted on the end of the armature as by a nut H8 threaded thereon. The winding I09 is energized from the supply line I2l acting through a transformer I22 and such energization may be controlled only by a temperature responsive device such as the room thermostat indicated at I23 or Jointly by the thermostat I23 and other temperature responsive devices, such as indicated st I24, which may be used to limit the temperature as is desirable forinstance in the bonnet of the furnace.

It will be seen from the above description that the present invention provides a valve for automatically regulating the flow of gas to a spaceheating furnace in which the valve action is cooperatively controlled by a plurality of thermoresponsive means severally responsive to different temperatures. In such furnace it is desirable that the valve be opened responsive to the temperature of a room or rooms to be heated, but valve opening must be prevented unless a pilot flame is available to ignite the gas flowing from the main burner. The room temperature responsive means of course must be adjustable and flow of gas to both the pilot and the main burner must also be adjustable. Even if a pilot flame is available, the long continued closure of the room temperature responsive means for any reason might result in supplying so much heat as to be dangerous and it isaccordingly desirable that the action of the room thermostat be modifled by thermally responsive means so placed that furnace temperature cannot exceed a safe limit. The present disclosure illustrates the use of mechanically actuated means for cooperatively controlling the valve or for the use of electrically energized means in conjunction with such mechanically actuated means, and the use of a remotely controlled, electrically energized means in place of one of the mechanically actuated thermal responsive means but it will be obvious that various combinations may be used.

Although but a few embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a system for controlling the supply ofa fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for controlling flow of fuel to the main burner, means responsive to combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, resilient means acting between the valve and the pilot responsive means for urging the valve open during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a spring biased leverage within the casing urging the valve toward closed position upon extinguishment of the pilot flame, means responsive to the temperature in the space to be heated, and a second leverage within the casing and actuated by the space respective means to urge the valve closed upon increase in the space temperature above a predetermined value.

2. In a system for controlling the supply of a fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing,a valve Within the casing for controlling flow of fuel to the main burner. means responsive to the combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a spring compressed between the valve and the pilot burner responsive means for urging the valve opened during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a spring biased leverage efiective upon expansion of the first spring to urge the valve toward closed position, means responsive to the temperature of the space to be heated, and a second leverage within the casing and actuated by the space temperature responsive means to urge the valve closed upon increase in the space temperature.

3. In a system for controlling the supply of a fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for controlling flow offuelto the m ain burner, 1 I

means deflning a-- chamber in response to combustion. of-fuel at the pilot burner and contracting. upon extinguishment of the pilot flame, a compression spring seated between the valve and the chamber for urging the valve open during expansion of the chamber, a spring biased nieverage'under Joint action of the chamher-"and the flrst springfor urging the valve to- .wardclosd position upon extinguishment of the pilot flame, means-responsive tothe temperaperature' of the space to be heated, a second lever-. age within the casing for transmitting the force of expansion of the space temperature responsive means to the valve to urge the valve closed upon increase of the space temperature, a lever within a the casing and opposing expansion of the space 1 temperature responsive means, and'a screw exture of the spaceto be heated, and a second lever-' for controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner,

means defining a chamberexpanded in response to combustion of fuel at the pilot burner and contracted upon extingui'shment of the pilot flame, a compression spring seated between the valve and the chamber for urging the-valve during expansion of the chamber, a leverage Jointly controlled by the pilot burner responive means and the spring. a second spring acting on the leverage and eifective to urge the valve toward closed position only .upon extinguishment of the pilot flame, means responsive to the temperature to the space to be heated, and a second leverage within the casing and actuated by the space temperature responsive means to urge the valve closed upon increase in the space temperature shoves-predetermined value.

-5. Sin-a systemfor controlling the supply of a fluid -fuel,'="aspace heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for controlling the; flow of fuel to the main burner, means responsiveto combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, resilient means acting between the' valve and the pilot responsive means for-urging the valve open (I combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a biased leverage within the casing for urging the valve toward closed position, said pilot responsive means acting on the leverage to prevent operation thereof during combustion of fuel'at the pilot burner and allowing the leverage to close the valve when the pilot flame is extinguished, means expanding responsive to the temperature of the space to be heated, a leverage within the casing for transmitting the force of expansion of-the space temperature responsive means to the valve to urge the valve closed upon increase of the space temperature, and force-multiplying means operable from externally of the casing for directly adjusting the action of the space responsive means.

6. In a system for-controlling the supply of a fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for. controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner, means responsive to combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, resilient means acting between the valve and the pilot responsive means for urging the'valve open during combustion of fuel at the P lot burner, a biased leverage within the'casing and'urging the valve toward closed position, said pilot responsive means acting on the leverage to prevent operation thereof during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner'and allowing the leverage tending through the casing and bearing on the lever for adjusting the force opposing the space temperature responsivemeans.

7. In a system for controlling'the supply of a fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner. means responsive to combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, resilient means acting between the valve and the pilot responsive means for urging the valve open during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a biased leverage within the casing for urging the valve toward closed position.

said pilot responsive means acting on the leverage to close the valve when the pilot flame is extinto prevent operation thereof during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner and allowing the leverage to close the valve when the pilot flame-is extinguished, means responsive to the temperature to the space to be heated, a solenoid ener-' gized responsive to temperature changes in a second space to be heated, and a second leverage within the casing and jointly actuated by the space temperature responsive means and the solenoid for urging the valve toward closed posi- 8.,In a system for controlling the supply of a fluid fuel, a space heating main burner, a pilot burner, a valve casing, a valve within the casing for controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner, means responsive to combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, resilient means acting between the valve and the pilot responsive means for urging the valve open during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner, a biased leverage within the casing urging the valve toward closed position, said pilot responsive means acting on the leverage to prevent operation thereof during combustion of fuel at the pilot burner and allowing the leverage to close the valve when the pilot flame is extinguished, a solenoid energized responsive to the temperature of the space to be heated, and a spring urging the solenoid armature to press the valve toward closed position, the armature being retracted against the force of the spring upon energization of the solenoid,

4 ROY W. JOHNSON.

CEDRIC E. ZARWELL.

REFERENCES Y CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Newton Aug. 18, 1942 guished, means expanding responsive to the tem- 9 Certificate of Correction 10 Patent No. 2,457,378. December 28, 1948.

v ROY W. JOHNSON ET AL. It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 53, claim 1, for the Word respective read responsive;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of May, A. D. 194-9.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammzssioner of Patents. 

